The Cost Curve – Pharma Transport Rates on the Rise

Rising freight costs are reshaping pharmaceutical logistics planning. Conflict-related rerouting, fuel volatility, and infrastructure breakdowns have caused cost spikes exceeding 40% on some lanes. Logistics managers now face tough trade-offs: faster air freight at premium cost, or longer routes with higher temperature excursion risk. Increased transit times inevitably threaten cold chain stability. And in this environment, thermal packaging and passive temperature control aren’t just technical specifications—they’re risk mitigators. An extra 12 or 24 hours in a customs checkpoint can be fatal to an unprotected biologic. This is why more pharma leaders are shifting toward validated passive cooling systems that can endure 120 hours  and more of thermal performance without power. When combined with qualified pallet shipper systems, these solutions ensure integrity—even under major disruptions. Packaging becomes a financial lever, too. Wasted cargo of course is much costlier than insulated transport. The real cost lies not in materials, but in lost product, customer trust, and compliance penalties.
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